This is not a recipe for people with self-control, because self-control is not invited to this party. Buffalo chicken dip exists to be inhaled directly from the bowl while you make aggressive eye contact with anyone who tries to take the last chip. Make it ahead, freeze it, and let future-you deal with the consequences.
Table of Contents
This post may contain affiliate links. If you grab something through them, I earn a small commission-at no extra cost to you-and I appreciate it more than good coffee.
🥰 Is this Buffalo chicken dip recipe for you?
This easy Buffalo chicken dip is for you if...
- You need a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day, tailgates, or parties.
- You love make-ahead recipes that can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- You want a creamy, cheesy dip that's loaded with chicken, bacon, and buffalo flavor.
- You need something that's ready in about 20 minutes.
- You want a dip that's just as good with tortilla chips as it is with celery sticks, crackers, or toasted bread.
Skip this recipe if...
- You prefer extra-spicy buffalo dip. This version is creamy with just a moderate kick, although it's easy to turn up the heat with additional buffalo sauce or cayenne.
- You're looking for a dairy-free appetizer. Cream cheese, ranch, and cheese are what make this dip so irresistibly creamy.
🧾 Ingredients
No fancy ingredients. No culinary gymnastics. Just chicken, bacon, plenty of cheese, and enough buffalo sauce to make everyone hover around the snack table "just for one more bite."
- Chicken: Cooked, shredded chicken is the heart of this dip. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut when life is already throwing enough plot twists.
- Cream cheese: Let it soften before you start. It'll melt faster and give you the smooth, creamy texture you're after.
- Colby Jack cheese: Melts like a dream and adds plenty of cheesy goodness. Cheddar or Monterey Jack work just as well.
- Bleu cheese: Love it or leave it. It adds that classic buffalo wing flavor, but if you're not a fan, nobody's going to call the appetizer police.
- Bacon: Cook it until crisp. Smoky, salty bacon belongs in just about everything, and this dip is no exception.
- Onion: A little sautéed onion adds flavor without stealing the spotlight.
- Green onion: Sprinkle it over the top just before serving for a little fresh flavor and a pop of color.
- Ranch dressing: It cools the heat, adds creaminess, and keeps everyone coming back for "just one more scoop."
- Frank's RedHot Wing Sauce: This is where the buffalo flavor comes from. Use as much or as little as your crowd can handle.
📖 Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, or thighs
- ½ lb bacon
- ¼ cup onion
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ¾ cup Franks Buffalo Wing Sauce, or your favorite
- ½ cup Ranch Dressing
- 2 cups shredded cheddar, or Colby-Jack, or Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup bleu cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped green onion, for garnish
Instructions
To poach chicken
- Add the chicken to a heavy saucepan.
- Cover with water or chicken stock. You can also add chunks of celery, onion, carrot, and/or garlic if you wish.
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat then turn heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 10-15 minutes - or until the chicken registers 165F on an instant read thermometer.
- Shred it and set aside. (Save the broth for soups, stews, and to cook vegetables in!)
To make dip
- Fry bacon until crisp. Drain off the fat, leaving about a teaspoon or so in the skillet.
- Sauté the onion in the same skillet until transparent.
- Add the cream cheese, sauce, Ranch, and cheese to the pan.
- Heat, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and ingredients are completely mixed together.
- Spoon into serving dish and top with green onion and bleu cheese.
- Serve warm with chips, celery, carrot sticks, cauliflower, soft tortillas, toasted baguette slices, or even in sandwiches.
Crockpot
- You can also toss everything except the bleu cheese and green onion into a crock pot set on low for a couple of hours. Then add the bleu cheese and green onion before serving.
Notes
- If you have time and don't feel like poaching the chicken you can cook it in your slow cooker on low for 8 hours. It will shred like a charm! Or just use rotisserie chicken from the deli.
- Load up on the dippers! We like tortilla chips, corn chips, sliced bell peppers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, baguette slices, and pita bread!
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Love this recipe?
Subscribe to the free membership group and never miss another recipe!
🔪 How to make Buffalo chicken dip
This is one of those recipes that's almost impossible to mess up. Cook the bacon, melt everything together, stir in the chicken, and try not to eat half of it before your guests arrive.
- Poach and shred the chicken breasts. Set aside.
- Fry the bacon, then remove it and saute the diced onion in the fat.
- Add the hot sauce, ranch dressing, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese.
- Stir to melt, then add the bacon and shredded chicken. Combine and serve, topped with green onion and bleu cheese.
Got leftovers? Stir leftover Buffalo chicken dip into Buffalo chicken pasta for even more great Buffalo chicken flavor.
🥫 How to store, freeze, and reheat Buffalo chicken dip
Buffalo chicken dip is one of my favorite make-ahead appetizers because it tastes just as good the next day. You can make it several days in advance or freeze it for later, making it perfect for football parties, holidays, and potlucks.
Refrigerate
Transfer leftover dip to an airtight container once it has cooled slightly. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For food safety, don't leave buffalo chicken dip at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if you're serving it outdoors in hot weather).
Can you freeze buffalo chicken dip before baking?
Yes! Assemble the dip, spoon it into a freezer-safe container or baking dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
Can you freeze buffalo chicken dip after baking?
Absolutely. Let the baked dip cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
How do you thaw buffalo chicken dip?
For the best texture, thaw frozen buffalo chicken dip overnight in the refrigerator. If you're short on time, you can gently reheat it from frozen, but it will take longer and you'll need to stir it frequently as it warms.
What's the best way to reheat buffalo chicken dip?
For individual servings, microwave the dip in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until hot.
For larger amounts, cover the dip with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly around the edges. If you're serving it at a party, you can also warm it in a slow cooker on the Warm setting to keep it creamy throughout the game.
Why did my buffalo chicken dip separate?
Don't panic! Cream cheese and other dairy ingredients sometimes separate after freezing or reheating. It's completely normal and doesn't mean the dip has gone bad. Simply stir it well while it's heating. If it seems a little thick, add a splash of milk or ranch dressing until it's smooth and creamy again.
👩🍳 FAQs
Buffalo chicken dip tastes best for 2-3 days, but it's safe to eat up to 4 days later. Make sure it's in a sealed container for the best results!
You can freeze buffalo chicken dip for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Though the dip will be safe to eat for up to three months, the texture might be a bit grainier.
I get this question all the time! For the best buffalo chicken dip, I use regular cream cheese-the taste and texture are simply unmatched! However, you can get away with a low-fat variety in this recipe. Beware - the texture will be a bit different.
📚 More great dip reicpes
Game day, potluck, holiday party, or just a Tuesday that could use more cheese... these easy appetizers are always welcome on the snack table.
This Buffalo chicken dip has never once disappointed anyone, which is more than can be said for most people at your Super Bowl party. Freeze a batch for later because future-you deserves nice things too. And when someone inevitably asks for the recipe mid-bite, just know they're only being nice to you because of the dip.
Comments
No Comments